BCF’s purpose is to unite people through basic human commonalities, not divide them over human differences; engender respect not disdain; create dreams not dwell on nightmares; inspire greatness, not yield to despair; encourage achievements beyond expectations, not crush the will to even try; and point towards values and qualities that sustained African Americans through much degradation, not glamorize behaviors and attitudes that undermine, dignity, self-respect, productivity and achievement.

To accomplish this, BCF has developed the Three-Step “CPA” Approach.  These three steps build upon each other to help realize BCF’s ultimate visions of seeing a world in which Black people know the truth about their history from ancient times to the present; and continue to build healthy, productive and honorable lives as a result of that knowledge. And, as Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed, a world in which people are judged by the content of their character not by the color of their skin.

~ Black Courage Foundation ~

~ Black Courage Foundation ~

BCF is partnering with the Return to Glory Foundation (RTG) to Capture the Hearts and Minds of scores of people in regard to the value and role of the black man in the development of ancient civilizations and of the United States of America.   RTG uses engaging and thought provoking multi-media resources to provide a truthful, well documented and gripping account of the glorious legacy of the black man. RTG has granted a ten-year exclusive license for BCF to screen the Return to Glory film every hour-on-the-hour in every BCF Gallery and Museums internationally in the language specific to that region of the world.  Additionally, other RTG resources will be offered in BCF Galleries and Museums and BCF and RTG will integrate their respective programming for the benefit of their audiences.

The RTG  book,  “Return To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man”, endorsed by such notables as Bill Cosby, Ben Carson, Julius Erving, Joe Frazier and many others, provides the springboard for the “Return To Glory” film.

Describing the Return To Glory book, Julius Erving, legendary basketball great, asserts:

"The book you now hold in your hands is the product of much research. I encourage every African American to read this powerful book. Don (Griffin) and Joel (Freeman) have captured the essence of the pain of the black experience in America and have given us a road map to wholeness. You will not exit this gripping book the same way you came in. I also encourage every non-African American interested in racial healing to read Return to Glory. It will enhance their understanding of what people of color deal with on a daily basis."

~ Black Courage Foundation ~

Step II:    Proving the Point through the Mark E. Mitchell African American History Collection and other
                    artifacts:

Once Step I has captured and inspired hearts and minds, Step II documents and proves through hands-on tangible evidence found in the Mark E. Mitchell Collection of African American History and other collections, the struggles, courage, contributions and achievements of black Americans, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The adage, “Seeing is believing” sweetly resounds continuously while viewing the Mitchell Collection. The Mark E. Mitchell Collection of African American History is a breathtaking, world class, museum quality collection.  It contains a comprehensive and chronological account of a wide range of African American history rather than simply focusing on one aspect of African American history or on one African American personality.

 “Having written about, collected, bought, and sold African Americana for nearly two decades, I can attest, first hand, to the Mitchell’s Collection’s integrity and historical significance – rarely has an assemblage of original manuscripts documents, newspapers, periodicals, antiques prints, books, and photographs of this caliber been amassed; rarely has an assemblage of material of this density (dating from the early 1600s through the present) been able to hold together, making its sum total more than equal to its individual pieces – a fact which I perceive as crucial to the collection’s uniqueness and valuation.  Mr. Mitchell’s determination and vision to preserve the collection as a whole continuum of history will profoundly benefit students and scholars alike”.

               Randy F. Weinstein, renowned appraiser of African American books, manuscripts and documents author of
              “Against the Tide”, a text book of African American history.

Step II also includes BCF partnerships with existing African American History Galleries in every major city in America and galleries in selected cities internationally that are connected to the African American experience.  This will make African American history accessible to every community in America. It further includes a Youth- friendly Museum and Experience Center to be developed at the site of an international tourist attraction.  This interactive museum will engage youth and adults alike in the hearing, telling and experience of history in a very hands-on way.

~ Black Courage Foundation ~

Step III.  Affecting Change through the BCF “After the Knowledge” Program:
 

BCF’s “After the Knowledge” (ATK) program will partner with community based organizations (CBOs) to convert inspiration and knowledge into behavior change that produces healthier and more productive lives, families and communities.  BCF materials, exhibits, programs and activities will be used by the CBO partners as foundational tools upon which to build their existing programs designed to encourage behavior changes in areas such as teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and violence prevention.

"History matters. It provides our identity, it structures our relationships, and it defines the terms of our debates. We must learn from it, even if doing so is, at times, annoying and uncomfortable. Yet experience makes clear that classrooms alone cannot be relied on to teach the lessons that must be learned by the vast numbers of Americans whose collective future may depend on that education. History must be taught not only in the academy but in the variety of nonacademic settings where Americans go to learn.
 

                                                                          Dr.James Oliver Horton, The George Washington University      
                                                                          Benjamin Banneker Professor of History & American Studies   
                                                                          Black Courage Foundation, Advisory Board Member             

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